ComiX how to tutorial

[reb2]

I have seen a few threads on the brighthand forum about using ComiX with a TX and some conversion program to view comicbooks on the palm. I am not real familiar with how to and what I need. Would someone give me a detailed description of how to use and what software and how to get it ect.

[cms]

Just get plucker, you can veiw all the comics you want :D


Online commics that is...

[reb2]

Thanks alot CMS: I will try that out. Where is the best place to find the current Plucker software.

[dmccunney]

Thanks alot CMS: I will try that out. Where is the best place to find the current Plucker software.http://www.plkr.org (http://www.plkr.org)

And note that he said "online" comics.
______
Dennis

[cms]

Should we start a thread for online commics and plucker?

[dmccunney]

Should we start a thread for online commics and plucker?Feel free, if you have good online comic sources to use as examples.

Reb2 was reading a thread on Brighthand about ComiX, a PalmOS viewer for CBR/CBZ files. These are basically just RAR or ZIP archives with JPGs of the comic pages, and the viewer provides a GUI for opening the archive and viewing the pages in a structured fashion.

You could extract the CBR/CBZ files on a desktop, and copy the image files to a card, then view them with an image viewer. Or you could write an HTML wrapper and make a Plucker file on the desktop which you could read on the Palm device.

But Reb2 needs to understand the differences between the approaches.
______
Dennis

[reb2]

Ok what do you do to extract the files so you can then use them with the viewer. What wiewer will work and what extractor or technique on the computer will extract them. When they are extracted where on the memory card do you put them so the viewer will read them.
I did not even know what a root file on the memory card was when it was stated to put a folder for Myinstall in the root on the memory card. I read some Posts and there threads and still did not know. I dropped the folder in the memory card shortcut on my pc and it worked. I was trying to make the program work with the folder in the palm folder before I did that. I am not familiar with the termanology used in some of the explinations. I am thankful for all of the help that I am given when I ask questions and all of the software that other people present for different uses on this and the brighthand site. I downloaded some picture books to read to my granddaughter and could not get them to load the pictures extracting them with the downloaded files. I ran and extracted them directly from the site and the pictures loaded. I used isilox to convert and isilo ro read on the TX. I do not know the difference or the how or why about these things. So when I ask about something I need to learn more to understand what is evidently basic to others.

[dmccunney]

Ok what do you do to extract the files so you can then use them with the viewer. What wiewer will work and what extractor or technique on the computer will extract them. When they are extracted where on the memory card do you put them so the viewer will read them.CBR/CBZ files are RAR or ZIP archives.

You do understand how to open an archive?

ZIP files are likely more convenient, since they are the default standard in the US, and current versions of Windows have built-in "Zip Folders" capability, but RAR files are easy enough, and there are several freeware tools to open them. (Only the payware WinRAR program can create them.

Where they go on the card depends on the viewer you use, and where it wants to see them. I use a freeware PalmOS JPG viewer called GRXView that can navigate the card and find them wherever they are. The default location is /DCIM, which is where things like digital cameras save pictures on a card.

I did not even know what a root file on the memory card was when it was stated to put a folder for Myinstall in the root on the memory card. I read some Posts and there threads and still did not know.A card in a PDA works just like a disk in your PC. It has a hierarchal directory structure. The top level is called the "root" directory, and other sub-directories branch from there.

A card for a PalmOS PDA might look like this:

/ Root
|
+--/DCIM (digital photos)
|
+--/MUSIC (MP3s)
|
+--/Palm
| |
| +--/Launcher (where the launcher looks for programs on a card)
| |
| +--/Programs (where programs look for data on a card)
| |
| +--/DXTG (Documents to Go documents)
| |
| +--/Plucker (Plucker converted HTML files)
| |
| +--/WordSmith (Converted RTF files for WordSmith)
|
+--/PDFS (PDF files for PalmPDF
|
+--/VIDEOS (video files for TCPMP)


This is a simplified representation: depending on the card and the software you use, it might be a lot more elaborate.

Some programs only see files in specific hard-coded locations. Like, I put Plucker documents in /Palm/Programs/Plucker, because that's one of the locations Plucker looks in. Other programs can navigate the file system, so data files the program uses can be put where you like. For instance, I use /PDFs for PDF files I will view with PalmPDF, and /VIDEOS for AVI files I will view with TCPMP, but I could put them elsewhere/ Both programs can navigate the file system and view them from anywhere on the card.

As a general rule, you don't want to put programs or data in the root directory. The PDA won't see programs there (the standard launcher only looks in /Palm/Launcher), and the programs you use may only look in specific locations for their data. Where a program wants to see things depends on teh program, and you need to read the program docs.

I dropped the folder in the memory card shortcut on my pc and it worked.That will create the directory under the root directory on the card.

I was trying to make the program work with the folder in the palm folder before I did that. I am not familiar with the terminology used in some of the explanations. I am thankful for all of the help that I am given when I ask questions and all of the software that other people present for different uses on this and the brighthand site.You're welcome.

We're happy to help. The only suggestion is to make your question as specific as possible. It's a lot easier to answer a question when it's clear just what the question is.

I downloaded some picture books to read to my granddaughter and could not get them to load the pictures extracting them with the downloaded files. I ran and extracted them directly from the site and the pictures loaded. I used isilox to convert and isilo to read on the TX. I do not know the difference or the how or why about these things. So when I ask about something I need to learn more to understand what is evidently basic to others.That's fine.

I use Plucker instead of iSilo, but the principle is the same. Project Gutenberg has some nice picture books, with things like Caldecott illustrations, available as HTML bundles. (Caldecott is a famous illustrator of children's books who has an award for illustration named after him.) The convert wonderfully to Plucker files, with the illustrations included.
______
Dennis

[BrentDC]

And sometimes when you want to find out something, in your case the definition of "Root Directory", all you need to do is "Google-it" (go to Google.com and do a search using those keywords). a search of "Root Directory", pulls up many results, the first of which is a Wikipedia definition. The first thing you see when reading the Wikipedia article is this:

In computer file systems, the root directory is the first or top-most directory in a hierarchy. It can be likened to the root of a tree - the starting point where all branches originate.

[reb2]

Thanks again for the information Dmccunney and BrentDC. The analogy was simple but I was making it to complicated.

[philpalm]

When checking out the comics ability of Plucker on this website:
http://www.onemanga.com/Detective_Conan/4/05/
The illustration is too small. I suppose the solution is to save to desktop, cut and enlarge parts of it and store it in a folder in the DCIM folder.

In PSP crazy they have a "magazine" for psp consisting of a JPeg file.

------------------------------------
Unfortunately most comics have copywrite protection and someone would need permission to allow downloading in Palm Tx format. I wonder if someone has a good sample of a saved comic?

[Another Michael]

When checking out the comics ability of Plucker on this website:
http://www.onemanga.com/Detective_Conan/4/05/
The illustration is too small. I suppose the solution is to save to desktop, cut and enlarge parts of it and store it in a folder in the DCIM folder.

In PSP crazy they have a "magazine" for psp consisting of a JPeg file.



This following Plucker-Doc is made by Sunrise (settings: Quick document, Pictures 300x300 pixel, include full version of pic.)

Open the doc and tap on the small Version of the pic and you can show it in full size and scroll through the whole comic.

Plucker version CVS 30-01-2008

Change file from .txt to .pdb

Looks like this on a TX screen ... (.jpg Screenshot) So no problem to do this with plucker as a "one click solution".

[philpalm]

I can see how an ordinary user can be intimidated by plucker. I too have sunrise for the simple download from IE page to put into plucker.

I first checked my Plucker desktop and set it to 16 shades of grey, put it into the same URL that I posted and did the update. If you delete the file (on my first failed attempt) the plucker desktop stops sending an updated file...or some crazy reason. Failing three times I tried sunrise and sure enough under tools is the Quick Document to set the photo option.

Now if only I can figure out how to do series of pages...anyway thanks for telling me that one tip to get the whole cartoon page.

BTW how did you attach that text (pdb) onto your comment? Looks like more posts can send cartoons and files that way. My sunrise results is as small as 167kb (one large cartoon) to as large as 269 kb for several panels.

[lee555]

I've been reading comics on my TX for a long long time now, and nothing beats resco viewer.

Navigation can be accomplished using only one hand, the hard buttons can be set to zoom in and out, view the next or previous page, and the 5 way pans the image around.

The TX also can display the image in a landscape view and start at the top of the images by default, all you need to do is scroll down, no sideways scrolling unless you need to zoom in. It's zoom capability is simply amazing, the text balloons are still sharp and clear and very readable. Although I have to point out that I have very good eyes and reading small text has never been a problem for me, your mileage may vary.

I just use winrar to extract cbr or cbz files into jpegs, put them into their respective folders like "issue 1" and just copy them into the sd card using a card reader.

[alominator]

Hi everybody!
I'd like to read comics on my TX but i've got some question...For example, the link http://www.onemanga.com/Detective_Conan/4/05/ : i'm able to pluck it, but only this page...I don't think that setting link dept to 16 or so is a good idea, isn't it? How can I pluck the whole episode? Or maybe is better to save all pages in jpg extension and then view them with resco viewer?
I definitely bump the cms's idea to start a thread on plucker and online comics! (maybe with also good resources where finding them...)! :D
At lee555: can you explain me exactly your settings of resco viewer? i've played a bit with the settings but haven't still understood well hoe they works...
Thanks for every suggestion you can give me!

[alominator]

Sorry guys, another question:

[QUOTE=Another Michael]This following Plucker-Doc is made by Sunrise (settings: Quick document, Pictures 300x300 pixel, include full version of pic.)

I've spent many time playing with plucker but i have never seen a "quick document" setting, neither the "include full version of pic"...

mayne i'm doing something wrong :confused: ?

[lee555]

Using resco viewer, you have to save all the pages on that site into jpegs first, then put them all into one folder, then just use a card reader and copy paste that folder into your sd card.

Use resco viewer to navigate to that folder and your all set to read comics!

Here's my settings on resco viewer:

On options/load...
I have "autoselect load size" unchecked

On options/then view...
Initial rotation = "rotate always"
Initial zoom = "shrink to fill screen"
Initial position = "Center-Top"

On Options/ then Keys/Viewer tab
HW1 = previous image
HW2 = Next image
HW3 = Zoomin
HW4 = Zoomout
up/down = pan
left/right = pan

Enjoy!

[Another Michael]

Sorry guys, another question:

[QUOTE=Another Michael]This following Plucker-Doc is made by Sunrise (settings: Quick document, Pictures 300x300 pixel, include full version of pic.)

I've spent many time playing with plucker but i have never seen a "quick document" setting, neither the "include full version of pic"...

mayne i'm doing something wrong :confused: ?

Here you can get Sunrise for Windows XP

http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-and-Shell/Converting/Sunrise-XP-8524.shtml

There are also a Java Version (with the same functionality) and (i think) a native linux version.

[alominator]

At Another Michael:
thanks for the link, but i forgotten to say that i'm using sunriseXP...but in my version (2.04) i don't find anything similar to "quick document", i've got only under edit, "new document", and in the main tab under the section images "include full size alternate images". Am I looking at the same options or not?
Thanks for your reply!


At Lee555: Thank you very much for your explanation, i'm going to try all these tricks!

[Another Michael]

At Another Michael:
thanks for the link, but i forgotten to say that i'm using sunriseXP...but in my version (2.04) i don't find anything similar to "quick document", i've got only under edit, "new document", and in the main tab under the section images "include full size alternate images". Am I looking at the same options or not?
Thanks for your reply!


So it seems that there are some differences between the Sunrise Java 0.42j that i use and the Sunrise WindowsXP version.

Sunrise Java Screenshot: Quick document menu

http://www.wegzumselbst.de/pic/2008-05-22_002033.jpg

Sunrise Java Screenshot: Quick document properties

http://www.wegzumselbst.de/pic/2008-05-22_001434.jpg

[alominator]

We found the trick! I was a little confused regard this problem...ok, i'g going to try the java version! Thanks again!

[danceman]

where can i find cbr and cbz, or better, comics llibrary?

[Another Michael]

where can i find cbr and cbz, or better, comics llibrary?

torrent ?

Need more advice ?

[danceman]

torrent ?

Need more advice ?

ok, thx. I just thought there was some free online site or something.

[Another Michael]

comix now freeware. Works fine on my TX.

http://www.warmenhoven.nl/mysoftware/palm_-_comix/

[Another Michael]

ok, thx. I just thought there was some free online site or something.

Free comics:
http://flashbackuniverse.blogspot.com/

Free windows comic reader:
http://comicrack.cyolito.com/

[philpalm]

Just a small note about using comix. They give you the link to classics comics and the files download and you need to unzip them or unrar them.(they give you a link to get that tool too.)

The Tx will reset if the folder has a folder inside it. Make sure each folder you put into your comix program folder doesn't have a folder within a folder (easily checked by examining it before installing)

You can view comics upright or on its side. The five way button switches too so that to read forward you press the rightmost button part on the five way button. This is done by pressing the toolbar symbol second from the right.

[arson]

Can anyone tell me what the comix converter does? like is it resizing the jpgs to 900 pixels by 900 pixels and giving it a .pdb extension. The reason I'm asking is that I'm on linux, and I haven't been able to successful run the developer's .net app, so I'm looking for a mac or linux workaround.

Otherwise I might try that suggestion about the resco viewer.